Greene Ford Compares 2015 Ford F-150 VS 2015 Ram 1500 Near Buford, GA

2015 Ford F-150

VS

2015 Ram 1500

Safety Comparison

The rear seatbelts optional on the F‑150 SuperCrew inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The Ram 1500 doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

The F‑150 Lariat/King Ranch/Platinum offers an optional collision warning system, which detects an impending crash through forward mounted sensors and flashes a bright light and sounds a loud, distinctive tone to warn the driver to brake or maneuver immediately to avoid a collision. The system also pre-charges the brakes to begin deceleration more quickly. The Ram 1500 doesn't offer a collision warning system.

The Ford F‑150 offers Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Ram 1500 doesn’t offer Daytime Running Lights.

The F‑150 Lariat/King Ranch/Platinum’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Ram 1500 doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The F‑150 Lariat/King Ranch/Platinum offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Ram 1500 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing safer, the F‑150 (except XL)’s optional cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Ram 1500 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Warranty Comparison

The F‑150’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the 1500 runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are over 33 percent more Ford dealers than there are Ram dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the F‑150’s warranty.

Reliability Comparison

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the F‑150 have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 5.7 V8 in the Ram 1500.

The F‑150 has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Ram 1500 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the F‑150 first among large light duty pickups in their 2014 Initial Quality Study. The Ram 1500 was rated third.

Engine Comparison

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford F‑150 V6 ECOBoost is faster than the Ram 1500 5.7 V8:

F‑150 2.7

F‑150 3.5

1500

Zero to 60 MPH

5.7 sec

5.6 sec

7.4 sec

Zero to 100 MPH

16.1 sec

16.4 sec

20.7 sec

5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start

6.4 sec

6.2 sec

7.2 sec

Quarter Mile

14.3 sec

14.4 sec

15.7 sec

Speed in 1/4 Mile

95 MPH

95 MPH

88 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range Comparison

On the EPA test cycle the F‑150 gets better fuel mileage than the Ram 1500:

F‑150

Ram 1500

4x2

3.5 V6/Auto

18 city/25 hwy

17 city/25 hwy

3.6 V6

2.7 ECOBoost V6/Auto

19 city/26 hwy

18 city/25 hwy

HFE V6

3.5 ECOBoost V6/Auto

17 city/24 hwy

15 city/22 hwy

5.7 V8/8-spd Auto

5.0 V8/Auto

15 city/22 hwy

14 city/20 hwy

5.7 V8/6-spd Auto

4x4

3.5 V6/Auto

17 city/23 hwy

16 city/23 hwy

3.6 V6

2.7 ECOBoost V6/Auto

18 city/23 hwy

n/a

3.5 ECOBoost V6/Auto

17 city/23 hwy

15 city/21 hwy

5.7 V8/8-spd Auto

5.0 V8/Auto

15 city/21 hwy

13 city/19 hwy

5.7 V8/6-spd Auto

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford F‑150 uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Ram 1500 with the 5.7 V8 engine requires mid-grade for maximum efficiency, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The F‑150 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Ram 1500 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping Comparison

For better stopping power the F‑150’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Ram 1500:

F‑150

1500

Front Rotors

13.8 inches

13.2 inches

The F‑150 stops much shorter than the Ram 1500:

F‑150

Ram 1500

70 to 0 MPH

174 feet

199 feet

Car and Driver

60 to 0 MPH

126 feet

134 feet

Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels Comparison

The Ford F‑150’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Ram 1500 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling Comparison

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the F‑150’s wheelbase is longer than on the Ram 1500:

The Ford F‑150 offers an optional Tailgate Step, which folds out and allows for much easier access to the cargo area. The Ram 1500 doesn’t offer a rear cargo step.

Ergonomics Comparison

The F‑150 XLT/Lariat/King Ranch/Platinum’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and the driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ram 1500 Quad/Crew Cab’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the F‑150 XLT/Lariat/King Ranch/Platinum’s exterior keypad. The Ram 1500 doesn’t offer an exterior keypad entry system, and its extra cost UConnect Access can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Intelligent Access standard on the F‑150 Lariat/King Ranch/Platinum allows you to unlock the driver’s door, tailgate and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading cargo, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Ram 1500’s available Keyless Enter ‘n Go doesn’t unlock the tailgate.

The F‑150’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Ram 1500’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the F‑150 Lariat/King Ranch/Platinum offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Ram 1500 doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The F‑150 Lariat/King Ranch/Platinum’s optional Lariat/King Ranch/Platinum can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Ram 1500 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations Comparison

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its February 2015 issue and they ranked the Ford F‑150 5.5 ft. bed Platinum SuperCrew 4x4 first. They ranked the Ram 1500 short bed Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 third.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the F‑150 first among large light duty pickups in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Ram 1500 isn’t in the top three.

Purchase prices plus tax, tag, title, and Georgia lemon law fee. Prices include the listed rebates and incentives. Please verify all information. We are not responsible for typographical, technical, or misprint errors. Inventory is subject to prior sale. Contact us via phone or email for more details.

Purchase prices plus tax, tag, title, and Georgia lemon law fee. Prices include the listed rebates and incentives. Please verify all information. We are not responsible for typographical, technical, or misprint errors. Inventory is subject to prior sale. Contact us via phone or email for more details.